Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Phala-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

भक्त्या तु विप्रान्सम्पूज्य चाष्टम्यां क्षीरभोजनम् दत्त्वा कुर्यात्फलयुतं यावत्स्यात्कृष्णेसप्तमी //

Transliteration

bhaktyā tu viprānsampūjya cāṣṭamyāṃ kṣīrabhojanam dattvā kuryātphalayutaṃ yāvatsyātkṛṣṇesaptamī //

Translation

Having reverently honored the Brahmins with devotion, on the eighth lunar day (aṣṭamī) one should give a meal of milk (or milk-based food). One should continue this observance together with fruit until the seventh lunar day (saptamī) of the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) arrives.

Word by Word

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• tu: indeed

• viprān: Brahmins

• sampūjya: having duly worshipped/honored

• ca: and

• aṣṭamyām: on the eighth (tithi)

• kṣīra-bhojanam: milk-food, a meal consisting of milk/milk-preparations

• dattvā: having given

• kuryāt: one should perform/undertake

• phala-yutam: accompanied by fruit

• yāvat: until

• syāt: it becomes/arrives

• kṛṣṇe: in the dark fortnight (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa)

• saptamī: the seventh (tithi).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, typical Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipras (Brahmins)
• Ashtami tithi
• Krishna-paksha
• Saptami tithi

Tags

• Vrata
• Dana
• Brahmana-seva
• Tithi
• Ritual diet

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on vrata-dharma—devotional honoring of Brahmins and a timed dietary-gift observance across specific lunar days.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It prescribes practical grihastha/raja-dharma conduct: show reverence to learned Brahmins and perform dana (charitable giving) in a regulated way (tithi-based), emphasizing devotion, hospitality, and disciplined observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it specifies a tithi-based observance involving kṣīra-bhojana (milk-food) given on Aṣṭamī and continued with fruit until Kṛṣṇa Saptamī.